Here are some quick tips for recovering from your recent restorative dental procedure.

At West Cobb Dentistry we offer a wide range of restorative dental procedures. Each of these procedures offers a different solution to a different dental problem. As wide of a variety of solutions as we offer, they also include a variety of tips to help in making a quick recovery.

Dental Crowns and Bridge Recovery

After getting a dental crown or bridge installed you should avoid chewing and eating until all numbness is gone. Avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the temporary crown or bridge is located. Brush and floss normally and use a desensitizing toothpaste if your teeth are sensitive. Call us if sensitivity lasts more than a few days. Rinse your mouth two times a day with a mixture of warm salt water or prescription mouth rinse to reduce discomfort and swelling.

Dental Implant Recovery

You should apply light pressure with gauze pads for the first hour following surgery, and limit yourself to calm activities to control bleeding. Avoid eating until all numbness has worn off. Apply ice packs 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 24 hours post-surgery.

You may also rinse with warm salt water to further reduce swelling and discomfort. Drink lots of liquids. Eat only soft, nutritious foods, on the opposite side of your mouth, for the first 24 hours following your surgery. After the first 24 hours, you may return to your regular diet, but continue to chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

Use the prescription mouth rinse chlorhexidine twice per day for one week. Don’t floss the teeth adjacent to the dental implant for two weeks. You should brush and floss your other teeth regularly. Take all medications prescribed by your dentist, even if you have no swelling or signs of infection.

Root Canal Recovery

Once you leave our office you should avoid chewing and eating until all numbness is completely gone. Take pain medication before the anesthetic wears off. Take the antibiotics as prescribed by our doctors as well as brush and floss normally. Call us if sensitivity to pressure lasts more than a few days. Rinse your mouth three times daily with warm salt water to reduce discomfort and swelling. Limit yourself to calm activities for three to five days. Avoid crunchy foods. It is essential to have the tooth restored with a crown within two weeks of the root canal to avoid fracturing the tooth.

Cavity Fillings

Once your cavity is filled you should avoid chewing and eating until all numbness has completely worn off. Brush and floss normally to gain healthy gum tissue. Call us if sensitivity lasts more than a few days. Rinse your mouth three times a day with a mixture of warm salt water to reduce discomfort and swelling.